Celtic will meet the Scottish Football Association this week over the ongoing controversy surrounding their match with Dundee United last month.

The meeting has been arranged after the referee Dougie McDonald was reprimanded by the SFA for his admission that he told a "white lie" to both his superiors and the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon. McDonald had overturned a penalty he had awarded to Celtic during that game, something he initially and wrongly claimed was prompted by Steven Craven, his assistant referee.

Craven has since resigned and issued a stinging criticism of Hugh Dallas, the SFA's head of refereeing. Celtic believe the comments of Craven, McDonald and Stewart Regan, the SFA's chief executive, have provided more questions than answers and will seek further clarification in the coming days. The matter is also likely to be prominent at a meeting of the SFA board on Thursday.

Craven has accused Dallas of "harassment, victimisation and bullying". Of Dallas's role in the Tannadice affair, Craven added: "My reading of the situation was Hugh wanted to protect Dougie and leave me to take the flak."

Dallas responded in fierce terms this evening. He said: "I am extremely angry and upset at the completely unsubstantiated allegations made by Steven Craven in a Sunday newspaper. Unfortunately, these allegations have given rise to the suggestion that I was involved in some sort of 'cover-up': nothing could be further from the truth. I was adamant from the time that Dougie first contacted me that an accurate version of events be established.

"Dougie and the other assistant at the game, Charlie Smith, have since corroborated the correct chronology of events on the field and in the dressing room, which has cast serious doubt over the legitimacy of Craven's own claims.

"I am dismayed and saddened that the reputation I have built up over 30 years in refereeing could be besmirched by such unfounded allegations."

Dallas has been assured of the SFA's full backing. "The Scottish FA is unequivocal in its support of Hugh Dallas," Regan said. "In the past week, I have spoken extensively to Hugh as part of my investigation into the events at the recent match between Dundee United and Celtic and have found him to be helpful and honest throughout this process."